Inflatable penile prosthesis with reinforced members

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes an inflatable member, the inflatable member having a reinforced portion; a reservoir configured to hold fluid; and a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member when the prosthesis is in an inflation mode, and facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir when the prosthesis is in a deflation mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Nonprovisional of, and claims priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/502,017, filed on May 5, 2017,entitled “INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS WITH REINFORCED MEMBERS”, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to bodily implants and morespecifically to inflatable penile prostheses with reinforced members.

BACKGROUND

One treatment for male erectile dysfunction is the implantation of apenile prosthesis that mechanically erects the penis. Some existingpenile prostheses include inflatable cylinders or members that can besusceptible to undesired expansion properties. For example, some knowninflatable members are formed with fabric or knit materials which canhave imperfections. Such imperfections can lead to irregular diametricand length expansion properties. Additionally, some known inflatablemembers may not provide sufficient stiffness and rigidity when inflated.

Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a bodily implant, such as apenile prosthesis that includes an improved inflatable member.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes aninflatable member, the inflatable member having a reinforced portion; areservoir configured to hold fluid; and a pump assembly configured tofacilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatablemember when the prosthesis is in an inflation mode, and facilitate atransfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir whenthe prosthesis is in a deflation mode.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member defines a cavity. In someembodiments, the inflatable member includes a sidewall that defines acavity. In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes a sidewallthat defines a cavity, the sidewall having a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion of the sidewall having a first thickness, thesecond portion of the sidewall having a second thickness, the firstthickness being greater than the second thickness.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member is configured to stretch. Insome embodiments, the inflatable member is formed of a elastomericpolymer.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes a sidewall having anouter surface, the outer surface of the including a plurality ofprojections. In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes asidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outersurface, the inner surface including a plurality of projections. In someembodiments, the inflatable member includes a sidewall having an outersurface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the innersurface defining a cavity configured to receive the fluid, the innersurface including a plurality of projections. In some embodiments, theinflatable member includes a sidewall having an outer surface and aninner surface opposite the outer surface, the inner surface beingsmooth, the outer surface including a plurality of projections. In someembodiments, the inflatable member includes a sidewall having an outersurface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the outersurface being smooth, the inner surface including a plurality ofprojections. In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes asidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outersurface, the outer surface including a plurality of projections, theinner surface including a plurality of projections.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member is formed of a homogenousmaterial.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes a frame portion anda casing portion. In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes aframe portion and a casing portion, the casing portion surrounding theframe portion. In some embodiments, the inflatable member includes aframe portion and a casing portion, the frame portion includes aplurality of woven filaments.

According to another aspect, a bodily implant includes an inflatablemember, the inflatable member having a sidewall defining a cavityconfigured to receive fluid, the sidewall including a first portionhaving a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness,the first thickness being greater than the second thickness; a reservoirconfigured to the fluid; and a pump assembly configured to facilitate atransfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member is formed of a homogenousmaterial.

According to another aspect, a bodily implant includes an inflatablemember, the inflatable member having a frame and a casing; a reservoirconfigured to the fluid; and a pump assembly configured to facilitate atransfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member.

In some embodiments, the casing of the inflatable member surrounds theframe of the inflatable member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an inflatable penile prosthesisaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an inflatable penile prosthesis implanted within apatient according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable penile prosthesis of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable member according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the inflatable member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable member of FIG. 4taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7-9 are cross-sectional views of inflatable members according toother embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inflatable member according to anembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the inflatable member of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable member of FIG. 10taken along line B-B of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, which may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments invirtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms andphrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but to provide anunderstandable description of the present disclosure.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, aredefined as comprising (i.e., open transition). The term “coupled” or“moveably coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, althoughnot necessarily directly and mechanically.

In general, the embodiments are directed to medical devices such aspenile prostheses or other bodily implants. The term patient or user mayhereafter be used for a person who benefits from the medical device orthe methods disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, thepatient can be a person whose body is implanted with the medical deviceor the method disclosed for operating the medical device by the presentdisclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the patient may be a humanmale, a human female, or any other mammal.

The terms proximal and distal described in relation to various devices,apparatuses, and components as discussed in the subsequent text of thepresent disclosure are referred with a point of reference. The point ofreference, as used in this description, is a perspective of a person whoimplants the inflatable penile prosthesis. The person may be a surgeon,a physician, a nurse, a doctor, a technician, and the like who mayperform the implantation procedure. The term proximal refers to an areaor portion that is closer or closest to the person during theimplantation procedure. The term distal refers to an area or portionthat is farther or farthest from the person.

The embodiments discussed herein may improve the performance of aninflatable member of the device. For example, the inflatable member mayhave improved stiffness or rigidity, improved reliability, improvedvisualization with imaging devices, such as a MRI or an X-ray device, orimproved deflation or inflation times.

The embodiments may include an inflatable penile prosthesis having apump assembly, an inflatable member, and a reservoir. The inflatablemember may be implanted into the corpus cavernosae of a patient or user,the reservoir may be implanted in the user's abdomen, and the pumpassembly may be implanted in the scrotum. The pump assembly may switchbetween an inflation position and a deflation position such that a usercan operate the device to place the inflatable penile prosthesis ineither an inflation mode to transfer fluid from the reservoir to theinflatable member or a deflation mode to transfer the fluid from theinflatable member back to the reservoir.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an inflatable penile prosthesis 100according to an aspect. The inflatable penile prosthesis 100 may includea reservoir 102, an inflatable member 104, and a pump assembly 101configured to transfer fluid between the reservoir 102 and theinflatable member 104. In some examples, the inflatable member 104 maybe implanted into the corpus cavernosae of the user, the reservoir 102may be implanted in the abdomen or pelvic cavity of the user (e.g., thereservoir 102 may be implanted in the lower portion of the user'sabdominal cavity or the upper portion of the user's pelvic cavity), andthe pump assembly 101 may be implanted in the scrotum of the user.

The inflatable member 104 may be capable of expanding upon the injectionof fluid into a cavity of the inflatable member 104. For instance, uponinjection of the fluid into the inflatable member 104, the inflatablemember 104 may increase its length and/or width, as well as increase itsrigidity. In some examples, the inflatable member 104 may include a pairof cylinders or at least two cylinders, e.g., a first cylinder memberand a second cylinder member. The volumetric capacity of the inflatablemember 104 may depend on the size of the cylinders. In some examples,the volume of fluid in each cylinder may vary from about 10 millilitersin smaller cylinders and to about 50 milliliters in larger sizes. Insome examples, the first cylinder member may be larger than the secondcylinder member. In other examples, the first cylinder member may havethe same size as the second cylinder member.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member 104 is reinforced. In someembodiments, the reinforced inflatable member provides increasedstiffness or rigidity. In some embodiments, the reinforced inflatablemember provides improved reliability or longevity as the reinforcedinflatable member may include less layers of material which can becomedegraded through friction and movement with respect to each other.

For example, in some embodiments, the inflatable member 104 includes asidewall that defines the cavity that is configured to receive thefluid. In some embodiments, the sidewall of the inflatable member 104includes portions or sections that have a larger size or width thanother portions or sections of the inflatable member 104. The largerportions of the sidewall may provide strength or reinforcement to theinflatable member 104. In some embodiments, the sidewall includesprojections, such as ridges or bumps. The projections may be included on(or extend from) either or both of an outer surface and an inner surfaceof the inflatable member 104. The projections may provide strength orreinforcement to the inflatable member 104.

In other embodiments, the inflatable member 104 includes a frame memberor portion and a casing member or portion. The frame member may becoupled to the casing member and provide support or structure to theinflatable member 104. In some embodiments, the frame member is disposedon an outer surface of the casing member. In other embodiments, theframe member is disposed on an inner surface of the casing member. Inyet other embodiments, the frame member is disposed within the casingmember. In other words, the casing member surrounds or encases the framemember.

The reservoir 102 may include a container having an internal chamberconfigured to hold fluid that is used to inflate the inflatable member104. The volumetric capacity of the reservoir 102 may vary depending onthe size of the inflatable penile prosthesis 100. In some examples, thevolumetric capacity of the reservoir 102 may be 40-50 cubic centimeters.In some examples, the reservoir 102 is constructed from the samematerial as the inflatable member 104. In other examples, the reservoir102 is constructed from a different material than the inflatable member104.

In some examples, the reservoir 102 may be pressurized. In someexamples, the reservoir 102 is pressurized less than or equal to apressurized threshold. In some examples, the reservoir 102 ispressurized to be equal to or less than diastolic pressure in order toensure that the reservoir 102 is not over pressurized. In some examples,the pressurized threshold is 70 mm/Hg. In some examples, the pressurizedthreshold is greater than 70 mm/Hg. In other examples, the pressurizedthreshold is less than 70 mm/Hg. In some examples, the reservoir 102includes a pressure regulating balloon. In other examples, the reservoir102 is not pressurized (e.g., static). In some examples, reservoir 102may include a single container configured to hold the fluid, which mayor may not be pressurized. In some examples, the reservoir 102 includesa primary container (or primary chamber) and a secondary container (orsecondary chamber), where the primary container/chamber may hold thefluid that is transferred to the inflatable member 104, and thesecondary container/chamber may include gas or secondary fluid that isused to pressurize the fluid in the primary container/chamber.

The inflatable penile prosthesis 100 may include a first conduitconnector 103 and a second conduit connector 105. Each of the firstconduit connector 103 and the second conduit connector 105 may define alumen configured to transfer the fluid to and from the pump assembly101. The first conduit connector 103 may be coupled to the pump assembly101 and the reservoir 102 such that fluid can be transferred between thepump assembly 101 and the reservoir 102 via the first conduit connector103. For example, the first conduit connector 103 may define a firstlumen configured to transfer fluid between the pump assembly 101 and thereservoir 102. The first conduit connector 103 may include a single ormultiple tube members for transferring the fluid between the pumpassembly 101 and the reservoir 102.

The second conduit connector 105 may be coupled to the pump assembly 101and the inflatable member 104 such that fluid can be transferred betweenthe pump assembly 101 and the inflatable member 104 via the secondconduit connector 105. For example, the second conduit connector 105 maydefine a second lumen configured to transfer fluid between the pumpassembly 101 and the inflatable member 104. The second conduit connector105 may include a single or multiple tube members for transferring thefluid between the pump assembly 101 and the inflatable member 104. Insome examples, the first conduit connector 103 and the second conduitconnector 105 may include a silicone rubber material.

The pump assembly 101 may switch between an inflation mode in which thefluid in the reservoir 102 is transferred to the inflatable member 104through the pump assembly 101 in a first direction (e.g., inflationdirection) and a deflation mode in which the fluid in the inflatablemember 104 is transferred back to the reservoir 102 through the pumpassembly 101 in a second direction (e.g., deflation direction).

The pump assembly 101 may include a pump 106 and a valve body 107. Thevalve body 107 also includes a selection member 109. The selectionmember 109 may be used to select or change the mode in which the pumpassembly is in. For example, the selection member 109 may be moved froma first position to a second position to place the device in itsdeflation mode. The selection member 109 may then be moved back to itsfirst position to place the device in its inflation mode. In someembodiments, the selection member 109 is movable with respect to thevalve body 107. For example, in some embodiments, the selection member109 is slidably coupled or slideable with respect to the valve body 107.

The pump 106 may be squeezed or depressed by the user in order tofacilitate the transfer of fluid from the reservoir 102 to theinflatable member 104. For example, in the inflation mode, while theuser is operating the pump 106, the pump 106 may receive the fluid fromthe reservoir 102, and then output the fluid to the inflatable member104. When the user switches to the deflation mode, at least some of thefluid can automatically be transferred back to the reservoir 102 (due tothe difference in pressure from the inflatable member 104 to thereservoir 102). Then, the user may squeeze the inflatable member 104 tofacilitate the further transfer of fluid through the pump 106 to thereservoir 102.

In some examples, the pump 106 may include a flexible member defining acavity. In some examples, the pump 106 may define a pump shell having aflexible bulb and a valve body connector, where the valve body connectoris designed to fit at least partially over the valve body 107. In someexamples, the pump 106 may include a squeeze pump. In some examples, thepump 106 may include a portion that is round or substantially round. Insome examples, the pump 106 may include ribbing or dimples to aid theuser in gripping the pump 106. The pump 106 may use suction and pressureto move the fluid in and out of the cavity of the pump 106 in theinflation mode. For example, the user may depress or squeeze the pump106 to expel the fluid out of the cavity, and, when the flexible memberreturns to its original shape, the resulting suction pushes the fluidinto the cavity of the pump 106. In some examples, the pump 106 may havea bulb spring rate that is designed to refill the pump 106 in a selectedtime frame.

As discussed above, the selection member 109 may be used to select orchange the mode in which the pump assembly is in. In some embodiments,the selection member 109 includes or defines at least one opening, hole,or lumen. The selection member 109 is configured to be moved from oneposition in which it allows fluid to flow through one or more of thechannels and another position in which it allows fluid to flow though adifferent or a different set of channels. For example, in oneembodiment, the selection member 109 may be placed in the inflateposition and the user may then operate the pump 106 to inflate theinflatable member 104 (i.e., move the fluid from the reservoir 102 tothe inflatable member 104). For example, the user may repeatedly depressor squeeze the pump 106 until the desired rigidity is achieved.

In some examples, if the reservoir 102 is at least partiallypressurized, the fluid may automatically flow out of the reservoir 102and into the inflatable member 104 without the user depressing orsqueezing the pump 106 until the pressure is at least partiallyequalized between the reservoir 102 and the inflatable member 104.

Then, when the user wants to deflate the inflatable member 104, the usermoves selection member 109 to its deflate position. The user may thenoperate the pump 106 to deflate the inflatable member 104 (i.e., movethe fluid from the inflatable member 104 to the reservoir 102). The pump106 may then return to its original form, which provides a suction forcecausing fluid to be drawn into the pump 106 from the inflation member104. The fluid from the inflation member 104 fills the pump 106 (or atleast partially fills the pump 106). This pump cycle is repeated untilthe inflatable member 104 is deflated.

In some examples, the fluid may automatically (upon movement of theselection member 109 to its deflate position) flow out of the inflatablemember 104 and into the reservoir 102 without the user depressing orsqueezing the pump 106 until the pressure is at least partiallyequalized between the reservoir 102 and the inflatable member 104.

In some examples, after the inflation member 104 has been deflated, thepump 106 may be squeezed to place the pump in a contracted position orconfiguration.

FIG. 2 illustrates an inflatable penile prosthesis 200 implanted withina user according to an aspect. FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the inflatablepenile prosthesis 200.

The inflatable penile prosthesis 200 may include a pair of cylinders204, and the pair of cylinders 204 are implanted in a penis 214. Forexample, one of the cylinders 204 may be disposed on one side of thepenis 214. The other cylinder 204 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the pair ofcylinders may be disposed on the other side of the penis 214. Thecylinder 204 may include a distal end portion 224, a cavity or inflationchamber 222, and a proximal end portion 228 having a rear tip 232.

The inflatable penile prosthesis 200 may include a pump assembly 201,which may be implanted into the patient's scrotum 218. A pair of conduitconnectors 205 may attach the pump assembly 201 to the pair ofinflatable members or cylinders 204 such that the pump assembly 201 isin fluid communication with the pair of inflatable members or cylinders204. Also, the pump assembly 201 may be in fluid communication with areservoir 202 via a conduit connector 203. The reservoir 202 may beimplanted into the user's abdomen 219. The inflation chamber or portion222 of the cylinder 204 may be disposed within the penis 214. The distalend portion 224 of the cylinder 204 may be at least partially disposedwithin the crown portion 226 of the penis 214. The proximal end portion228 may be implanted into the patient's pubic region PR with the reartip 232 proximate the pubic bone PB.

In order to implant the inflatable members or cylinders 204, the surgeonfirst prepares the patient. The surgeon often makes an incision in thepenoscrotal region, e.g., where the base of the penis 214 meets with thetop of the scrotum 218. From the penoscrotal incision, the surgeon maydilate the patient's corpus cavernosae 240 to prepare the patient toreceive the pair of inflatable members or cylinders 204. The corpuscavernosum is one of two parallel columns of erectile tissue forming thedorsal part of the body of the penis 214, e.g., two slender columns thatextend substantially the length of the penis 214. The surgeon will alsodilate two regions of the pubic area (proximal corpora cavernosae) toprepare the patient to receive the proximal end portion 228. The surgeonmay measure the length of the proximal and distal corpora cavernosaefrom the incision and the dilated region of the pubic area to determinean appropriate size of the inflatable members or cylinders 204 toimplant.

After the patient is prepared, the inflatable penile prosthesis 200 isimplanted into the patient. The distal tip of the distal end portion 224of each cylinder 204 may be attached to a suture. The other end of thesuture may be attached to a needle member (e.g., Keith needle). Theneedle member is inserted into the incision and into the dilated corpuscavernosum. The needle member is then forced through the crown of thepenis 214. The surgeon tugs on the suture to pull the cylinder 204 intothe corpus cavernosum. This is done for each cylinder of the pair ofcylinders 204. Once the inflation chamber 222 is in place, the surgeonmay remove the suture from the distal tip. The surgeon then inserts theproximal end portion 228. The surgeon inserts the rear end of thecylinder 204 into the incision and forces the proximal end portion 228toward the pubic bone PB until each cylinder 204 is in place.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the inflatable members orcylinders 204 is structurally and functionally similar. Accordingly,only one of the inflatable members or cylinders will be discussed indetail. The inflatable member 204 may be capable of expanding upon theinjection of fluid into a cavity of the inflatable member 204. Forinstance, upon injection of the fluid into the inflatable member 204,the inflatable member 204 may increase its length and/or width, as wellas increase its rigidity. The volumetric capacity of the inflatablemember 204 may depend on the size of the cylinders. In some examples,the volume of fluid in each cylinder may vary from about 10 millilitersin smaller cylinders and to about 50 milliliters in larger sizes.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, in the illustrated embodiment, theinflatable member 204 is reinforced. In some embodiments, thereinforcement provides increased stiffness or rigidity. In someembodiments, the reinforced inflatable member provides improvedreliability or longevity as the reinforced inflatable member may includeless layers of material which can become degraded through friction andmovement with respect to each other. Additionally, the reinforcement mayprovide a specific inflation profile (a consistent inflation or aninflation that is varied) based on the location of the reinforcementalong the inflatable member 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member 204 includes asidewall 252 that defines the cavity or inflation chamber 222 that isconfigured to receive the fluid. Specifically, in the illustratedembodiment, the sidewall 252 of the inflatable member 204 includesportions or sections that have a larger size or width than otherportions or sections of the inflatable member 204. As best illustratedin FIG. 6, portion 262 of the sidewall 252 has a width or size W1 andportion 264 of the sidewall 252 has a width or size W2. Width or size W2is larger than width or size W1.

The larger portions of the sidewall 252 may provide strength orreinforcement to the inflatable member 204. For example, in some theillustrated embodiment, portion 264 of the sidewall 252 may have morestrength than portion 262 of the sidewall 252. Additionally, portion 262of the sidewall 252 may be configured to inflate, expand, or stretchmore than portion 264 of the sidewall 252. In the illustratedembodiment, the sidewall 252 includes several sections that have largerwidths or sizes and several sections that have smaller widths or sizes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 252 includes an outersurface 282 and an inner surface 284. In the illustrated embodiment, thepatterned portion 272 extends from the outer surface 282. Accordingly,the outer surface 282 includes a series of ridges and troughs. In otherwords, the outer surface 282 is not smooth or consistent. Rather, theouter surface is rough or not smooth. In the illustrated embodiment, theinner surface 284 is relatively smooth and does not include any ridgesor troughs.

In some embodiments, the pattern 272 includes projections. In theillustrated embodiment, the projections are a series of lines, such as aseries of intersection lines. In other embodiments, the projections area series of bumps, domes, or dimples.

In some embodiments, the inflatable member 204 is single layer or singletube. In some embodiments, the inflatable member 204 is formed of orfrom a homogenous material. For example, in some embodiments, theinflatable member is formed of a biocompatible material. In someembodiments, the inflatable member is formed of a polymer or a polymericmaterial. In some embodiments, the inflatable member 204 includes anexpansion rate or profile that simulates or matches that of a naturalerection.

In other embodiments, the inner surface includes a series orprojections, ridges or troughs and the outer surface is relativelysmooth. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, theinflatable member 304 includes a sidewall 352. The outer surface 382 isrelatively consistent or smooth and the inner surface 384 includesprojections and is not smooth.

In yet other embodiments, both the inner surface and the outer surfaceinclude projections, ridges or troughs. For example, in FIG. 8, in oneembodiment, the inflatable member 404 includes a sidewall 452. The outersurface 482 of the sidewall 452 includes projections and is not smoothand the inner surface 484 includes projections and is not smooth. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the projections on the innersurface 484 are aligned with the projections of the outer surface 482.As illustrated in FIG. 9, in another embodiment of the inflatable member504, the projections of the inner surface 584 are offset from theprojections of the outer surface 582.

The pump assembly 201 may switch between an inflation mode in which thefluid in the reservoir 202 is transferred to the inflatable member 204(or inflatable members) through the pump assembly 201 in a firstdirection (e.g., inflation direction) and a deflation mode in which thefluid in the inflatable member 204 (or inflatable members) istransferred back to the reservoir 202 through the pump assembly 201 in asecond direction (e.g., deflation direction).

The pump assembly 201 includes a pump 231 and a valve body 233, and aselection member 239. The selection member may be used to select orchange the mode in which the pump assembly 201 is in. For example, theselection member 239 may be moved from a first position to a secondposition to place the device in its deflation mode. The selection member239 may then be moved back to its first position to place the device inits inflation mode. In some embodiments, the selection member 239 ismovable with respect to the valve body 233. For example, the selectionmember 239 may be slidably coupled or slideable with respect to thevalve body 233. In some embodiments, the selection member 239 includesstop members, such as shoulders or detents that engage members of thevalve body 233 to lock or help retain the selection member 239 in one ofits first and second positions.

The pump 231 may be squeezed or depressed by the user in order tofacilitate the transfer of fluid from the reservoir 202 to theinflatable member 204. For example, in the inflation mode, while theuser is operating the pump 231, the pump 231 may receive the fluid fromthe reservoir 202, and then output the fluid to the inflatable member204. When the user switches to the deflation mode, at least some of thefluid can automatically be transferred back to the reservoir 202 (due tothe difference in pressure from the inflatable member 204 to thereservoir 202). Then, the user may squeeze the inflatable member 204 tofacilitate the further transfer of fluid through the pump 206 to thereservoir 202.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 231 includes a flexible memberdefining a cavity. In some examples, the pump may include a squeezepump.

In some examples, if the reservoir 202 is at least partiallypressurized, the fluid may automatically flow out of the reservoir 202and into the inflatable member 204 without the user depressing orsqueezing the pump 231 until the pressure is at least partiallyequalized between the reservoir 202 and the inflatable member 204.

Then, when the user wants to deflate the inflatable members 204, theuser moves selection member 239 to its deflate position. The user maythen operate the pump 231 to deflate the inflatable members 204 (i.e.,move the fluid from the inflatable members 204 to the reservoir 202).For example, the user may repeatedly depress or squeeze the pump 231until the deflation is completed. The pump 231 may then return to itsoriginal form, which provides a suction force causing fluid to be drawninto the pump 231 from the inflation members 204. The fluid from theinflation members 204 fills the pump 231 (or at least partially fillsthe pump 231). This pump cycle is repeated until the inflatable members204 are deflated.

In some examples, the fluid may automatically (upon movement of theselection member 239 to its deflate position) flow out of the inflatablemember 204 and into the reservoir 202 without the user depressing orsqueezing the pump 231 until the pressure is at least partiallyequalized between the reservoir 202 and the inflatable member 204.

In some examples, after the inflation member 204 has been deflated, thepump 206 may be squeezed to place the pump in a contracted position orconfiguration.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an inflatable member 602 according to anotherembodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates the inflatable member 602 in a partialbreak-away view. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member602 includes a frame portion 611 and a casing portion 613.

The frame portion or member 611 is configured to provide strength andrigidity to the inflatable member 602. In some embodiments, the frameportion or member 611 is formed of a metal material. For example, insome embodiments, the frame portion or member 611 is formed of nitinol.In other embodiments, the frame portion or member 611 is formed of apolymer, such as an elastomeric polymer or a non-elastomeric polymer. Insome embodiment, the frame portion or member 611 is configured tostretch or expand when the inflation member 602 is inflated. In someembodiments, the frame portion or member 611 is formed of a shape memorymaterial. In some embodiments, the frame portion or member includes aplurality of member or portions that are interwoven or otherwisecombined to form the frame portion or member.

The casing portion 613 is coupled to the frame portion or member 611.The casing portion 613 may be formed of a polymer material. In someembodiments, the casing portion 613 is formed of a elastomeric polymer.As best illustrated in 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the casingportion 613 surrounds the frame portion 611. In other words, the frameportion 611 is disposed within the casing portion 613. In otherembodiments, the frame portion 611 may be disposed on or proximate anouter surface or an inner surface of the casing portion 613.

While certain features of the described implementations have beenillustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of theembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable penile prosthesis, comprising: aninflatable member, the inflatable member having a reinforced portion; areservoir configured to hold fluid; and a pump assembly configured tofacilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatablemember when the prosthesis is in an inflation mode, and facilitate atransfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir whenthe prosthesis is in a deflation mode.
 2. The inflatable penileprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member defines a cavity.3. The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatablemember includes a sidewall that defines a cavity.
 4. The inflatablepenile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member includes asidewall that defines a cavity, the sidewall having a first portion anda second portion, the first portion of the sidewall having a firstthickness, the second portion of the sidewall having a second thickness,the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.
 5. Theinflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable memberis configured to stretch.
 6. The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim1, wherein the inflatable member is formed of a elastomeric polymer. 7.The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatablemember includes a sidewall having an outer surface, the outer surface ofthe including a plurality of projections.
 8. The inflatable penileprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member includes a sidewallhaving an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface,the inner surface including a plurality of projections.
 9. Theinflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable memberincludes a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surfaceopposite the outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavityconfigured to receive the fluid, the inner surface including a pluralityof projections.
 10. The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, whereinthe inflatable member includes a sidewall having an outer surface and aninner surface opposite the outer surface, the inner surface beingsmooth, the outer surface including a plurality of projections.
 11. Theinflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable memberincludes a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surfaceopposite the outer surface, the outer surface being smooth, the innersurface including a plurality of projections.
 12. The inflatable penileprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member includes a sidewallhaving an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface,the outer surface including a plurality of projections, the innersurface including a plurality of projections.
 13. The inflatable penileprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is formed of ahomogenous material.
 14. The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1,wherein the inflatable member includes a frame portion and a casingportion.
 15. The inflatable penile prosthesis of claim 1, wherein theinflatable member includes a frame portion and a casing portion, thecasing portion surrounding the frame portion.
 16. The inflatable penileprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member includes a frameportion and a casing portion, the frame portion includes a plurality ofwoven filaments.
 17. A bodily implant, comprising: an inflatable member,the inflatable member having a sidewall defining a cavity configured toreceive fluid, the sidewall including a first portion having a firstthickness and a second portion having a second thickness, the firstthickness being greater than the second thickness; a reservoirconfigured to the fluid; and a pump assembly configured to facilitate atransfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. 18.The bodily implant of claim 17, wherein the inflatable member is formedof a homogenous material.
 19. A bodily implant, comprising: aninflatable member, the inflatable member having a frame and a casing; areservoir configured to the fluid; and a pump assembly configured tofacilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatablemember.
 20. The bodily implant of claim 19, wherein the casing of theinflatable member surrounds the frame of the inflatable member.